Worth noting: The Cubs are now halfway through the regular season and have yet to have their position atop the Baton Rouge standings particularly challenged. No one would love to do so more than Week 6 opponent Parkview Baptist, the area's lone defending state champion whose players and fans have felt noticeably slighted by the amount the Eagles have been overlooked. The dynamic adds plenty of intrigue to Friday's matchup, but for now, the rankings are "all about The U."

Worth noting: The order of the area's Class 5A teams appears to be a toss-up destined to change every week. Sione Palelei's injury is the big knock against previous No. 2 East Ascension this week. Dutchtown meanwhile seemed to come of age Friday against a defending state champion Rummel squad that had just routed Catholic. The Griffins' big Week 3 loss to Destrehan, 45-14, is looking more and more like a sign of how good the Wildcats are as opposed to Dutchtown's shortcomings.

Worth noting: The Bears were the clear No. 2 heading into the season and may very well move back up into one of the top two spots by its end, but at least at this point, they fit just behind Dutchtown as a result of the team's results against common opponent Rummel. That said, Catholic didn't receive the benefit of the Raiders being without standout running back Keith Fulton for more than half of their matchup, so keep an eye on a Week 7 meeting between the Bears and Griffins — as well as the bulk of the District 5-5A contests the remainder of the schedule.

Worth noting: The Spartans will be less dangerous for any period of time Sione Palelei misses. Regardless of how many other players may be ready to step up and help pick up some of the slack, there will be slack. Just how much and for how long remain to be seen, but until East Ascension can prove otherwise or Palelei can return, some drop-off appears likely.

Worth noting: The Wildcats solidified their position as the top squad in District 4-5A with Friday's comeback victory at Scotlandville. Central is still figuring itself out in some spots and will have to do a better job of applying the pressure for a full 48 minutes, but Coach Sid Edwards and company clearly have some pieces in place.

Worth noting: This week is the week the Eagles and their fans have been waiting for. New district rival University Lab, the highly touted and highly talented squad atop the area rankings, comes across town to either finally prove on the field it belongs ahead of Parkview Baptist in the various rankings or to finally give the defending 3A champions the opportunity to prove that hasn't been the case at all. Stay tuned.

Worth noting: The Gators really showed their teeth in Week 5, slowly a potent John Ehret team and star running back Darrel Williams down to a season-low 16 points. St. Amant could be in for an even bigger climb this week if it can manage a similar performance against Catholic. But either way, so far, so good. If you're not excited yet about six total matchups between Catholic, Dutchtown, East Ascension and St. Amant, get there.

Worth noting: Anyone doubting Livonia any more after Friday's defeat of McDonogh 35? Stop it. You're being silly. Little is ever anywhere close to guaranteed on the football field, but the Wildcats have clearly established themselves as one of the top teams in Class 3A and the Baton Rouge area. The defense and special teams likely played their best game of the year in that outing, and any further progress should be a scary prospect for opposing teams.

Worth noting: The Hornets showed big second-half flashes against Central of just how good they can be. No one in District 4-5A is likely overlooking Scotlandville the rest of the way, and potential opponents in the Division I playoffs should follow suit. The younger players appear likely to keep improving around the veteran standouts, much as Coach Eric Randall has hoped.

Worth noting: Another nice test for the Green Devils this week as Zachary comes to town, but by now not many doubters should remain. Julius Maracalin's rushing efforts are leading the offense past challengers left and right to the tune of 37.2 points per game, while the defense has allowed 26.2 points per game — not the best number in the world, but not bad considering NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune All-Baton Rouge Area Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Davon Godchaux has been out injured since Week 1.